Explore Cranbrook Gardens

Cranbrook Gardens is noted for its 40 acres of formal, woodland and naturalistic gardens featuring fountains, statuary, lakes, streams, and extensive traditional and contemporary plantings. A must-see is The Sunken Garden, which is planted by volunteers in a stunning new design each year.

The beautiful gardens surrounding Cranbrook House are designed, planted and cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers that are members of Cranbrook House & Gardens Auxiliary.

Free Admission*

Cranbrook Gardens is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, May 1 through October 31. Admission to Cranbrook Gardens is FREE* for the 2018 tour season, courtesy of presenting sponsor, PNC Bank, and sponsors, All Seasons Independent Living, fleurdetroit, and Roberts Restaurant Group. Please sign our online guest book through the link below to let us know if you visited the Gardens or when you plan to do so this season.

*Free admission is for self-guided visits of Cranbrook Gardens. Paid admission is required for tours of Cranbrook House and special events. Please visit our Events Calendar and Tour Schedule for pricing and availability.

Highlights of What You'll See at Cranbrook Gardens

The Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden is a favorite of many visitors. It is a formal garden surrounded by fieldstone walls. Each spring, Cranbrook House & Gardens Auxiliary volunteers create a work of botanical art in this garden through distinctive patterns and color combinations. The beds along the wall are planted with a mixture of perennials and annuals, and in the past, over 10,000 begonias have been planted in the four center rows!

The Reflecting Pool

The Reflecting Pool offers a spectacular vista from Cranbrook House to Cranbrook Art Museum. Garden beds on the north and south sides of the glimmering pool are planted in a formal mirror pattern. All the beds contain Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) and white Fragrant Lillies. A variety of yellow, orange and white annuals add color. In late summer, orange Praetoria Cannas create a stunning display in front of the peonies.

The Herb Garden

The Herb Garden has been managed by the Southeastern Michigan Branch of the American Herb Society since 1971. This garden is planted in a formal English design with different annual herbs each tour season. An old fashion Valarium with its wonderful vanilla scent greets visitors. A Mario Korbel statue of Ecolo, Goddess of Earth, protects the garden.

Japanese Garden

There are many interesting trees and shrubs in this garden. The Japanese Maples are mature and spectacular. There are large areas of big leaf Petasities, purple Liriope and some Tree Peonies. Although Cranbrook House & Gardens Auxiliary does not tend this garden regularly, its secluded peacefulness and natural beauty still make it worth a visit.

Now in Bloom

A collection of some of the plants that are currently in bloom in the gardens.